Chapter 4

Gunshots cracked outside like fireworks gone wrong. I pressed my back against the wall, heart hammering so hard I felt dizzy.

“Come on, come on,” I whispered, pacing the room. 

The locked connecting door stared back at me. I could hear boots running in the hallway and men shouting orders. A loud bang hit the main door to my room. I jumped.

“Isabella!” Lena’s voice came through, urgent. 

“Open up. It’s me.”

I rushed over and unlocked it. Lena slipped inside fast, carrying a small black bag. She locked the door again behind her.

“What’s happening out there?” I asked, voice shaking. 

“Are they here for me?”

Lena nodded, breathing hard. 

“Three cars. Moretti loyalists. They say Damien’s holding you against your will. They want you out now or they’ll burn the place.”

I laughed, but I was nervous. 

“Burn the place? With me inside?”

“People do stupid things when they’re desperate.” 

She opened the bag and pulled out a dark hoodie and jeans.

“Change quickly. Boss wants you ready to move if things go bad.”

I grabbed the clothes and turned my back to pull them on. 

“Damien went out there with a gun. He said he’d kill them all.”

“He will,” Lena said.

“But there are a lot of them. Your father still had loyal men. They don’t trust Voss.”

I zipped the hoodie and faced her. 

“Do you trust him?”

Lena checked the window, staying low. 

“I trust that he keeps his word. He said you’re under his protection. That means something.”

More gunshots rang out. Closer this time. I flinched.

“Tell me what to do,” I said. 

“I’m not just going to sit here and wait to die.”

Lena looked at me, really shocked. 

“You’ve got more spine than most girls who land here. Good. If they break through, we head for the basement tunnel but only if I say so.”

I nodded. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking. 

“My father really got me into this mess. Even after he’s dead.”

A voice shouted from outside the mansion. It carried through the walls. “Bring us the girl! Isabella Moretti belongs with us, not that snake Voss!”

I stepped closer to the window, trying to see. 

“They sound angry.”

“They are,” Lena said. 

“Your father promised them power. Now he’s gone and they think boss took everything.”

The connecting door suddenly opened. Damien stepped in, gun still in his hand but lowered. There was a small cut on his cheek. Fresh blood.

“You’re bleeding,” I said before I could stop myself.

He wiped it with the back of his hand. 

“It’s nothing. Rico took care of the ones at the front. But they’re not leaving easily.”

Lena stood straighter. 

“How many?”

“Eight. Maybe more is coming.” Damien looked straight at me. 

“They’re calling your name. They want proof you’re alive and not being tortured.”

I crossed my arms. 

“So what now? You parade me out there like a trophy?”

Damien’s jaw tightened. 

“No. I’m not letting those men anywhere near you. But I need you to speak to them from the balcony. Tell them you’re staying here willingly.”

My eyes went wide. 

“Willingly? Are you serious? After you dragged me here?”

He stepped closer. 

“Say what you need to say to make them back off, lie if you have to, our life depends on it. Theirs too.”

Lena moved toward the door. 

“I’ll get the balcony ready. Two minutes.”

She left us alone. I stared at Damien. 

“Why should I help you? Those men might actually be on my side.”

He holstered the gun. 

“Your side? They don’t know you, they only know your last name. The second they have you, they’ll use you as a puppet or sell you to the highest bidder. I’m the only one offering real protection right now.”

“Protection with a price,” I muttered.

“Yes.” His voice got lower. 

“But I haven’t hurt you. I fed you. I gave you clothes. I stopped a bullet from reaching you tonight.”

I hated that he was right. My stomach still felt sick. 

“Fine. I’ll talk to them. But I’m not saying I’m happy here.”

“Say whatever keeps you breathing,” he said. 

“Just don’t tell them I’m weak.”

We moved fast through the hallway. Rico waited near a set of glass doors that opened to a wide balcony. He gave me a quick nod. 

“Keep it short, girl.”

Damien stayed right behind me, one hand on my lower back. The touch burned even through the hoodie. 

“I’ll be right here. Speak clearly.”

The night air hit my face as we stepped out. Bright lights pointed up from the ground. I saw men down there, armed, standing behind cars. One of them stepped forward.

“Isabella! Is that you?”

I gripped the railing. My voice came out stronger than I expected. 

“Yes, it’s me.”

The man shouted up. 

“Did they force you? Blink twice if you need help!”

I felt Damien tense behind me. His fingers pressed a little harder into my back.

I leaned forward. 

“They didn’t force me. I’m staying here for now. It’s… complicated. My father left a lot of problems. I need time to figure things out.”

The men below started arguing among themselves. The main guy looked furious. 

“Marco wanted you protected by us! Not this bastard Voss! Come down now!”

“I said I’m staying!” I yelled back. 

My hands were sweaty on the railing. 

“Go home before more people get hurt.”

Damien spoke low near my ear. “Good, keep going.”

One of the men raised his gun. 

“She’s lying! They’re threatening her!”

A shot rang out. The bullet hit the wall near us. Damien yanked me down fast, covering my body with his. 

“Inside! Now!”

Rico and Lena returned fire from the balcony edge. Glass shattered somewhere. Damien kept me low as we rushed back through the doors. His arm stayed tight around me. 

“You did well. But they’re not leaving.”

My breathing came fast. 

“What happens now?”

He looked down at me. There was something new in his eyes, not just cold calculation, something hotter. 

“Now we fight. And you should stay close to me no matter what.”

Another burst of gunfire exploded outside. Rico ran in, breathing hard. 

“Boss, they’re trying to breach the east gate. At least fifteen now.”

Damien stood up, pulling me with him. His hand didn’t let go of mine.

“Lock every entrance,” he ordered. 

Then he looked at me. 

“You’re with me tonight. My room. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

My stomach flipped. 

“Your room?”

“Yes.” His grip tightened. 

“Welcome to the war, Isabella. It starts tonight.”

Shouts and more gunshots filled the night air as he pulled me toward the connecting door.

I had a terrible feeling this was only the beginning.